UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC says States ‘building castles in the air’ on stray dog sterilisation

Q1. With reference to the Supreme Court's May 2026 order in the stray dogs case, consider the following as directions issued by the Court: 1. Mandatory fencing of all educational institutions, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations and public sports complexes. 2. Establishment of at least one fully functional sterilisation centre per district through District ABC units. 3. Permission to relocate sterilised stray dogs to different localities away from their original territory. 4. Removal of stray animals from highways across India by State governments and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. Mandatory fencing of all educational institutions, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations and public sports complexes.
  2. Establishment of at least one fully functional sterilisation centre per district through District ABC units.
  3. Permission to relocate sterilised stray dogs to different localities away from their original territory.
  4. Removal of stray animals from highways across India by State governments and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. With reference to the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023 as compared with the earlier ABC (Dog) Rules, 2001, consider the following statements: 1. The 2023 Rules were notified under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, whereas the 2001 Rules were notified under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. 2. The 2023 Rules supersede the 2001 Rules and add requirements such as CCTV monitoring and structured record-keeping at ABC facilities. 3. Both the 2001 and 2023 Rules adopt the Capture-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (CNVR) methodology and prohibit the mass killing of stray dogs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The 2023 Rules were notified under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, whereas the 2001 Rules were notified under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
  2. The 2023 Rules supersede the 2001 Rules and add requirements such as CCTV monitoring and structured record-keeping at ABC facilities.
  3. Both the 2001 and 2023 Rules adopt the Capture-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (CNVR) methodology and prohibit the mass killing of stray dogs.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. As per the Supreme Court's May 2026 directions in the stray dogs case, how many fully functional sterilisation centres are mandated to be established per district through District ABC units?

  • A. At least one
  • B. At least two
  • C. At least three
  • D. At least five

Q4. The Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 governing sterilisation of stray dogs in India have been notified and are administered at the Union level by which one of the following ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • B. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
  • C. Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
  • D. Ministry of Panchayati Raj

Q5. Which one of the following is the apex statutory body empowered to recognise organisations for carrying out Animal Birth Control programmes for stray dogs under the ABC Rules, 2023?

  • A. Animal Welfare Board of India
  • B. National Board for Wildlife
  • C. Central Zoo Authority
  • D. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau
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